HCCB searches for teen cover star

HarperCollins Children's Books is launching a new teen series with a hunt for its cover star.

Geek Girl is a new series bought in a five-publisher auction, which is set to publish in March next year. It follows the story of self-confessed geek Harriet Manners, who is plucked from obscurity to become a model after being spotted on a trip to the Clothes Show Live.

The book is a case of art following life, as author Holly Smale was scouted at the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham as a teenager.

To keep the project close to its roots, HarperCollins will be at the Clothes Show Live from 7th December looking for a member of the public who will appear on the cover of a Geek Girl story. On the same date, a Facebook competition will also launch for people to send entries to.

HarperCollins Children¹s Books m.d. Nicola Way said: "We are really excited to be working in partnership with Clothes Show Live and encouraging all girls of today to celebrate their inner geek. This launch kicks off our three-month marketing campaign that will make it the hottest debut of 2013."